The past few months were spent in deliberation and tension between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India over each other’s participation at the Asia Cup and World Cup. The dust seems to have settled, at least for the moment, as the Pakistan government has said in an official release that the Pakistan team will be travelling to India for the World Cup.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Pakistan government made a press release today, August 6, announcing its decision to send the Pakistan cricket team to India for the World Cup.

The release also emphasised on Pakistan’s stance of not mixing politics with sports, and that political relations between the two nations should not stand in the way of sporting obligations.

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“Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics. It has, therefore, decided to send its cricket team to India to participate in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023,” said the release.

“Pakistan believes that the state of bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations.”

India had refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, forcing the tournament to be partially shifted outside Pakistan to Sri Lanka, where India will be playing all their games.

The press release touched upon the contrast between the stance taken by India and Pakistan: “Pakistan’s decision shows its constructive and responsible approach vis-a-vis India’s intransigent attitude, as the latter had refused to send its Cricket team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.”

The release also voiced concerns about security, and informed that the Pakistan government would be in touch with the ICC and the Indian authorities with respect to the same.

🔊: PR NO. 1️⃣6️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣

Pakistan’s Participation in the Cricket World Cup.

🔗⬇️ https://t.co/FCfR33W68I pic.twitter.com/tT5fvIRUxv

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) August 6, 2023